Gay Brussels

Gay Brussels

Emergency measures in the wake of Covid-19:

Since May 4th Belgium has started to ease the lockdown step by step. International tourists may be allowed into the country as of June 15th. Some indirect flights with the UK provide for essential travel, and Eurostar offers reduced service. Use of public transport requires the wearing of masks. Shops and museums are open, and from June 8th cafes, bars, restaurants and some tourist attractions will begin reopening - but not yet night clubs. Cinemas and theaters will reopen July 1st with a maximum of 200 people. Small open-air events will be permitted, but major events are prohibited until after August. All arrivals must self-isolate for 14 days. Proof of residence and onward travel are required for transit.

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Capital of Belgium, administrative center of the European Union, and home of the headquarters of North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Brussels has a reputation for bureaucracy.

But this city is also a cultural capital, home to more than 40 fascinating museums. It’s main square, the Grand Place, is one of the most beautiful anywhere, with gilt-covered guildhalls soaring heavenward on all sides. Around another square, Place Royale, you’ll find most gay establishments. The scene is surprising vibrant and diverse, with many bars and restaurants, circuit parties and alternative/indy parties, music and art happenings.

In Brussels, cineastes will enjoy the Genres d’à côtéPink Screens festival in November, and pesentations fromtheir Cinéclub Mensuel each month. Tels Quels also has film screenings throughout the year.

For Belgian Pride, to be held May 17-19, 2019, the weekend includes a Saturday Festival at Mont des Arts/ Kunstberg, with stage entertainment, vendors and refreshments, and a colorful parade from Pride Village through city-center.

Getting here

Many visitors fly into Brussels National Airport, 11 km (7 mi) to the northeast. Taxis into town cost around 45€. Trains from the Brussels Airport station, located at basement level 1 below the terminal, departs every 10 minutes between 5am and midnight, 7 days a week to the downtown Brussels Central station - a trip of 18 minutes for €12.70. There are also direct train services to the East, South, West and North of Belgium. For a simplified guide to area public transport see Brussels.info.

De Lijn operates bus services from arrivals hall level 0 to the Brussels North railway station (number 471), and Roodebeek station (bus 659), plus other regional destinations. The MIVB/STIB Airport Line has 30-minute express buses (number 12) between Brussels Airport (platform C on level 0) and the European quarter. There are ticket vending machines, or pay the driver (a slightly higher price). For more connections see the Airport website.

Brussels South Charleroi Airport in Gosselies, Charleroi, 46 km (29 mi) south of central Brussels, is where low-cost carriers such as Ryanair, Pegasus, and TUI land. Shuttle buses from here will take you to Charleroi-South railway station, from which you can catch the train into Brussels center.

For Belgian and international trains in and out of Brussels see the Belgian Railways website and select the station for your arrival or departure. You can now buy tickets on your iPhone. With direct Brussels-to-London service, the Eurostar train has encouraged many more English-speaking visitors than in the past. Trains depart St Pancras International every two hours and pull into Bruxelles Midi station just two hours later.

Eurolines connects most cities in Europe by coach with over 600 destinations. See their promotions page for special deals.

Getting around

Brussels is a compact city, and most of the sights are within walking distance of each other. Alternatively, underground trains, trams, buses, and taxis are easy to find, with day and night services, and quite inexpensive. STIB is your key to public transportation here, with a website in French, English and Flemish. Note that street names are in both French and Flemish.

Villo! is the 24/7 public bicycle rental program, with about 5,000 bikes for rent from 360 sites around the city - only 450m apart in many places. Just buy a subscriber card or a 1 day or 7 day ticket (see website for details). A MoBIB card from STIB, the Brussels mass transit authority, can be also be used to access a bike; and the AllBikesNow app works on either iPhone or Android devices.

Neighborhoods

Most of the tourist attractions are concentrated at the center, in a few of the city's 19 municipalities: Brussels-City, Ixelles, Saint-Gilles, Schaerbeek and Koekelberg.

Small, cobbled streets cluster around the magnificent Grand-Place, and the the restaurant-lined rue des Bouchers and Petite rue des Bouchers, are part of Ilot Sacré. Saint-Gery and Sainte-Catherine to the north of Grand-Place are known for trendy cafes and restaurants. The nearby rue Antoine Dansaertraat is a fashion and jewelry center. On place de la Monnaie, find the Monnaie opera house and ballet theater. South of Grand-Place, the Mont des Arts area is full of museums and monuments. The streets all around Grand' Place is home for many of the gay community businesses of Brussels

In one of the oldest city neighborhoods in Upper Town, place du Grand Sablon is a good place to look for antiques at the Saturday and Sunday markets, or for art at the local galleries. The area is also known for good chocolate and pastries. Les Marolles just to the south, where the real “Brusseleirs” are said to live, has many typical restaurants and cafes, and every morning flea markets at place du Jeu de Balle.

For high end shopping Avenue Louise leading to the south, and the nearby Galerie Toison D'Or have some big name fashion stores. A bit further on place du Chatelain du Liban, has cafes and a Wednesday afternoon/evening marketplace; and south of the Central Station, Saint-Gilles is a diverse community with vibrant streets both day and night.

People of foreign origin make up almost 70% of the population of Brussels, adding to the multicultural atmosphere of this bilingual city of French and Flemish speakers. Matonge in Ixelles, home to many in the Sub-Saharan community, has many African shops, cafes and restaurants. The recently built European Quarter is full of expats and Eurocrats. English is widely spoken throughout the city; a second language for about a third of the population.

To the north, the Bruparck recreation complex is home to the Mini-Europe theme park, a modern maze of stores, cafes, and restaurants, the Kinepolis multiplex cinema, and the Océade water park with 14 slides, wave pool, saunas, restaurant and bar.

Currency and Money

Belgium is part of the Euro Zone, so the euro is the accepted currency. There are plenty of ATMs in the downtown area.

Media & Resources

Tels Quels is the LGBT community center with services, library, cafe/bar, and a film series.

The Word magazine and The Brussels Times have English-language websites about life in Brussels, with news, art, food, photography, music, travel and neighbourhood tips.

The Brussels Gay Friendly guidebook, written by Têtu Magazine's Christophe Cordier, has listings and tips on local bars, restaurants, shops, cruising areas, events, accommodations and general tourist information. The print edition costs 20€, but the download is just 5€.

Rainbowhouse/ Maison Arc-en-Ciel (42 rue du Marché au Charbon; Kolenmarkt 42), LGBTQI community center, home to several organisations and groups; information resources, Out In Brussels and Pride guides, social events, workshops and conferences.

Match is an organisation for queer people who identify as women, welcoming locals and visitors to Belgium.

For a city map with locations and website links to businesses below and more, plus restaurant suggestions, museums, theaters and concert venues, see our gay Brussels listings pages.

Travel and accommodations
Hotels in Brussels are often fully-booked due to the city's role as de facto capital of Europe; hotels seem to be less busy on weekends, but book ahead if you want good value.

In Mons: to the south of Brussels, near the French border, La Friendly at The Play (Place du marché aux herbes 24) by Le Boys Boudoir on tour, does 2-4 LGBT & friends parties each month for a young and lively crowd - see their facebook link above.

Saunas

Club 3000 (9 Boulevard Jamar), pan-sexual six-floor complex, just south of main gay area, includes bar, cinemas, sex shop, internet station, inside and outside Jacuzzis, steam sauna, and restaurant/lounge, massage services. Open "big screen" playroom for men in towels and those in street clothes.